Boston woman’s ‘weakness for chicken cutty’ led her to a near-death experience and fulfilled her best friend’s prophecy: ‘Way too ironic for me’
Is it still her favorite?
Returning home after a long trip usually calls for a comfort meal. Boston-based TikTok creator Samantha Taormina (@samanthataormina) had a weakness for chicken cutty. But when she ordered, the cutlets nearly became her final order.
In a storytime on March 13, Samantha detailed a terrifying incident at her best friend Mikayla’s house. A piece of buffalo chicken cutty transformed her casual meal into a medical emergency. Surprisingly, her friend had already predicted it hours ago.
The video that has reached over 114,000 viewers, serving as a PSA about the unexpected dangers of eating while distracted. The series if events highlight the frightening speed at which a moment of laughter can escalate into a near-death experience.
A buffalo chicken cutty with a side of jokes became a disaster
Starving after their return to Boston, Samantha and her friends decided to indulge in a shared “weakness.” They all love the buffalo chicken cutty sandwiches from one of their favorite local spots. They ordered some, and the day started out good.
The group was sitting together, laughing and eating. Then, a friend said something particularly hilarious. But while attempting to take a bite during the laughter, a piece of the chicken cutty became firmly lodged in the back of Samantha’s throat.
Everyone thought Samantha was just laughing while she was choking
Samantha was simultaneously laughing and choking. But her friends initially assumed her reaction was part of the joke. However, the situation shifted from comedy to crisis when Samantha realized the food was not moving.
Soon, Samantha found herself unable to breathe. “It is killing me,” she recalled thinking as she stood up and gestured to her throat in a frantic attempt to signal her distress. This turned the jolly atmosphere into a “near-death” scenario in a matter of seconds.
Sydney’s quick reaction saved Samantha from the chicken cutty tragedy
Recognizing the emergency, Samantha’s friend Sydney immediately went into “save life mode.” She delivered a sharp, forceful slap to Samantha’s back, a move that successfully dislodged the obstruction. The force caused Samantha to “puke” into the kitchen sink, finally clearing her airway.
Reflecting on the incident, Samantha noted the irony of nearly meeting her end via a favorite sandwich on Friday the 13th. “Almost dying by eating a chicken cutty while being a fat person is way too ironic for me,” she laughed.
To everyone’s awe, her friend Mikayla had already predicted that the day would bring bad luck. “Mikayla said something bad was gonna happen today and I fear I’m the one who had it happen to her,” Samantha remarked.
What did Samantha choke on the chicken cutty?
Choking while laughing is a common but dangerous occurrence. This happens because both actions require the epiglottis to be open, which is the flap of tissue covering the windpipe.
When you laugh, you are forcefully exhaling air. If you attempt to swallow food at the same time, the coordination of your airway can fail. This allows food to enter the trachea instead of the esophagus. This can happen with any food. But dense proteins a like chicken cutty are particularly difficult to clear without assistance once they are stuck.
How to respond to a choking emergency correctly
If you find yourself in Sydney’s position during a “chicken cutty” crisis, you have to be swift in reacting. First, look for the universal sign for choking like hands clutched to the throat. Once you ask them if they’re choking and they’re unable to reply, it’s confirmed.
In case the person can still cough or make noise, encourage them to do so as forcefully as possible. If you must assist them, use the five-and-five approach. The Red Cross recommends giving five back blows with the heel of your hand, followed by five abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) until the object is forced out.
Even if the object is cleared, a person who has choked should be evaluated by a professional. This would ensure there are no internal injuries or lingering fragments in the lungs.
While Samantha walked away with her life and a viral “storytime,” the memory of that buffalo chicken cutlet will likely serve as a cautionary tale for the “Goobs” for years to come. So, chew thoroughly, laugh between bites, and always have a friend like Sydney nearby.
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